Koh Samui Information

Koh Samui, situated off the East coast in Southern Thailand, is the largest of an archipelago of more than 80 islands, for the greater part uninhabited. The Angthong Marine National Park (The Golden Bowl) is part of this group. Having a surface area of about 250 square kilometers, it is the third largest island after Phuket and Koh Chang.  Surat Thani, about 60 kilometers westwards, is the provincial capital.

Within two decades, Samui became known throughout Asia. Today, Samui has built itself a reputation as a small tropical paradise and a premier holiday and spa destination.

Accommodation ranges from luxurious five star resorts to more humble bungalows and caters for every budget. A solid reputation has also formed for fine dinning with gourmet meals in international restaurants and also the delicious and less expensive traditional Thai fare available all over the island.

Lush tropical vegetation, waterfalls, idyllic beaches, numerous Buddhist temples, and friendly, smiling local people, with many activities available as mentioned previously, makes Samui a destination of choice and sees many repeat visitors.

There are many activities nearby to the Samui Ridgeway Estate, Golf, spa, 4WD jungle and adventure tours, elephant trekking, horse riding, kite surfing, sailing, water sports, scuba diving, snorkeling, boat tours, temples and natural wonders, fishing, waterfalls and hiking, local markets, nightlife are to name but a few.

Climate

The climate is very pleasant all year round, with temperatures varying between 25 and 36 degrees Celsius.

There are three seasons, warm and dry season from February till May, rainy season from the end of September till November and "cool" season which extends from October until January.

From February until October, the average temperature is from 30 to 33 degrees, but from July until September, there can be some showers, but only for a few hours.

Rainy season often amounts in fact to some "refreshing" showers followed by the return of the sun.

The climate is tropical, so humid all year round, but Samui remains always refreshed by a pleasant sea breeze blowing from the Gulf.

Population

Samui counts a population of about 50,000 Thais, mainly Buddhists with a minority of Moslems and Chinese.

Apart from tourists there is now a growing community of foreign residents.

Life on the Island

Life on Samui Island is relaxing, the Thai’s are a passive natural people and very patient and guests feel at their ease. Smile is the universal language even though sometimes we have some difficulties in understanding each other. English is widely spoken.

If you enter a temple or a house, it is a custom to leave your shoes outside, also do not point at people, as it is impolite.

When visiting Buddhist monuments, dress suitably, try to avoid strolling in temples in a swimming suit for example, even though generally they are rather tolerant. Short trousers are not a problem as a rule in the temples of the island.

History and Development of Samui

Until 1940, there were no roads nor vehicles on Koh Samui. Its inhabitants lived there simply and almost without contact with the outside world.

People moved on the island on foot or by boat by following coasts. For example, to go from Maenam to Lamai, it took several hours of walking through the mountainous jungle, and going there and back in the same day was impossible.

Tourism was unknown, because there simply was no convenient means to get to the island. The only way of reaching it from mainland was the daily connection by night boat which took more than 6 hours of crossing from Surat Thani to Nathon.

Upon arrival in Samui it took several more hours to reach the final destination. The first construction plans of a road were abandoned because of the numerous mountains and the difficulty in landing heavy construction machines on the island.

In 1967 Khun Dilok Suthiklom, the “leader” of the island at that time decided that something must be done and asked the government for help. Two main obstacles were the high hill between Nathon and Maenam and the rocky and mountainous side between Lamai and Chaweng which had to be blown up to allow the road to rise at an acceptable angle. Trees and rocks were removed to clear the way resulting in a narrow track which circled the island.

The beginning of the construction of the road began with, long and enormous manual labour to clear a way around the island. Before concrete was laid it was not rare that everybody got out of the car (excepted the driver obviously) to push .

Nowadays, we can hardly imagine the time when the only way to go from one place to another one on Koh Samui was on foot or by boat...